Monday, November 30, 2009
for the shout out regarding my comment section not working. All fixed!
Chicken & Avo Cous Cous
This is one of my favourite lunches. The original recipe came from Band Camp and I have adapted it to suit.
1/2 to 1 Shallot chopped finely
Portion of chicken breast
1/4 - 1/2 an avocado diced
1 tablespoon of dried cous cous
Whole egg mayo (I use Neil Perry's fresh mayo from the fruit and veg section of Woolies)
Salt and pepper
Place cous cous in a container and add 1.5 tablespoons of water (if you want more just add 1.5 times water to the portion of cous cous)
Boil chicken breast in water. Add any herbs that you like (I generally use dill and a couple of bay leaves). Boil until cooked through. I know this probably sound gross, but it is great. The chicken stays moist and tender and it helps to get rid of some of the fat. I also keep the water to use in soups.
Once chicken is cooked through dice into small pieces.
Finely chop the shallots and avocado and place in your serving bowl along with the cous cous.
Add mayo a little bit at a time until you get a nice salad consistency.
Season to taste.
Enjoy!!
Bugger...
Went in for my fill and my GP was called to the hospital for emergency surgery! They tried to fob me off until next week but I managed to sweet talk them into an appointment for 12.15pm! Thankyajesus!
A fresh start.
I remember a friend of mine who was successful (and still is) on Weight Watchers was discussing the key to her success.
Everytime I fall over (have a 'bad' day), I pick myself up, dust myself off and start fresh. Leave the guilt behind.
This is exactly the mantra I will be following. We beat ourselves into a pulp and then wonder why we are stuggling with the weight. My honeymoon period with the band is definatly over. Now it's time for some good old fashioned hard work. However in saying hard work, I know my job is made much easier because of the band.
Even though very few people know that I've had the band done, I must say that I am ferociously protective of it and what it stands for. Anyone else out there feel the same? How many people miss out on this opportunity and stay overweight because of something negative and completely silly that they have heard? Here was my latest eye rolling experience......
I was flicking on the TV on the weekend and there was a program The Diet Doctors on channel YOU. Just as I tuned in they began to talk about gastric banding and how it ruined this ladies life. Interested I stayed on the channel to listen to the story. It went on to show a lady who had the band done, had it tightened to it's full capacity and is now upset that she has to live on mushie food for the rest of her life!!! I am trying in earnest to try and find out when it's on again to tape it to make sure that I did hear correctly that she had it tightened to it's full capacity.
I just sat there and thought......HOW RIDICULOUS.
I had better go and get showered for my fill. I'll be back afterwards with a recipe for a fantastic lunch I made yesterday.
Time to get real.....
Sunday, November 29, 2009
I HAVE BEEN CHEATING WITH MY LAPBAND!
Phew!
There, it has been said. I've admitted it. Now it's time to build a bridge and get over it!
I did have a public journal at the beginning of this journey which I made private as I was worried about being 'found out'. I have realised that I need the support that I was getting when I had this journal public. I really do not have a support network locally as only a couple of people in my town know I've had the band done.
I have had my band now for 10 months. Yes I have lost weight, but I am not using my band to it's full advantage.
My heaviest weight was 109kg. I was 104kg when I was banded. My lowest weight with the band has been 86kg and at the moment I am hovering around 91kg.
Over the past couple of months and especially while I have been away on holidays I have returned to some old habits. I have been drinking during meals and snacking on the wrong types of food and alcohol has well and truly slipped back into my daily routine.
The band is just a tool that is there to help us. If we don't follow the rules, it doesn't work!
So I have booked in for a fill tomorrow morning with my local GP. Even when I don't drink during meals I don't have much restriction so a good fill will help with that. I have also booked an appointment on my one year bandiversary with my surgeon Dr Blair Bowden. This gives me just over 8 weeks to get my butt into gear on the exercise and eating front.
I am going to join my local gym tomorrow and make sure I schedule my workouts into my work appointment book. They run circuit and boxing classes which totally kick your butt. I will make sure that I do not allow appointments with clients to clash with the scheduled times of the classes. I am going to get the timetable today on my way to work and mark the times out of my diary. NO IFS, BUTS OR MAYBES! 2010 is going to be the year of ME!
It's time for me to get strong. I put others first, especially in my work. Often I will book appointments during my lunch break, after hours and on my days off. I put clients before my husband and my marriage and even worse, before my health. WELL NO MORE! This is going to be one of the hardest things to do, but I have to do it. I have let my work rule me for the past three years, now it's time for me to rule my work.
I have been given such a great opportunity with the lapband. I look back over past journal entries and it has given my strength like I have never had before. THE BAND WORKS! I just need to make sure I am following the rules, and follow the rules I will!
